Alexander Lukashenko, dictator of Belarus and seemingly proud of it, came to power as its first president in 1994 following dissolution of the Soviet Union three years earlier. A true acolyte of the old Soviet regime, he retained state ownership of major industries and acquired the power to dismiss parliament, gradually consolidating his very centralized authority by 1996. The Russian language was given equivalent status to that of Belarusian and previously established economic ties with Russia were strengthened as the two countries formed a Commonwealth in 1996. The latter evolved into the Union State of Russia and Belarus with the signing of a treaty in 1999. This Union State formalized integration of their economies to which were also added both their intelligence agencies and defense. Clearly the much weaker of the two, Belarus would gain both financial and military security in the arrangement. The process was not a smooth one for Lukashenko, however. … More Lukashenko Versus Belarus